Tavernier: This is how Rodgers decision helped Rangers in draw v Celtic
Rangers right-back James Tavernier has admitted that his side took a lift from the second-half substitutions of Celtic pair Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair in the 0-0 draw at Celtic Park.
Brendan Rodgers decided to take off the attackers, who scored nine goals between in Old Firm matches last season, during a spell when the Light Blues were in the ascendancy and came close to winning the match.
Tavernier revealed that he and his team-mates knew they were on top in the game when Rodgers was forced into making the changes.
“Dembele and Sinclair both came off for them and they’re two big players for Celtic” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“They both did well against us last season so that was a little psychological boost to see them going off.
“It was a good feeling when players like that are subbed. Our lads did well against all of their best players.”
The game saw Celtic dominate large periods of the first-half, with a fine Wes Foderingham save denying James Forrest and Scott Sinclair missing a sitter on the stroke of half-time.
The Gers dominated the second-half though, and Tavernier was denied the opening goal by Craig Gordon before the goalkeeper pulled off a wonder save to deny Alfredo Morelos’s header from close-range finding the back of the net.
Morelos then put a free header wide of goal as the Light Blues continued to make chances.
Despite missing those chances, Graeme Murty’s side will take heart from getting a point and almost winning a game few people gave them a chance in.
In other Rangers news, the club have been linked with a loan move for Arsenal’s Marcus McGuane
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